Eleutherodactylus symingtoni
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AMPHIBIA |
ANURA |
ELEUTHERODACTYLIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Eleutherodactylus symingtoni |
| Species Authority: |
Schwartz, 1957 |
| Synonym/s: |
Eleutherodactylus delacruzi (Estrada, Rodriguez and Moreno, 1986)
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Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Critically Endangered
A2ace;B2ab(iii,v);C1
ver 3.1
|
| Year Assessed: |
2004 |
| Assessor/s: |
Blair Hedges, Luis Díaz |
| Reviewer/s: |
Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson, Neil Cox and Bruce Young) |
Justification:
Listed as Critically Endangered because of a drastic population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over the last ten years, inferred from the apparent disappearance of most of the population, possibly due to disease; and because its Area of Occupancy is also less than 10km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and the extent of its habitat, and the number of mature individuals, in western Cuba is declining; and because its population size is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals and it is estimated there will be a continuing decline of at least 25% within three years.
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Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
This species was formerly known from upland areas throughout western Cuba in Pinar del Río and Matanzas Provinces, Cuba, but its range has now decreased significantly. It has been recorded from 70-155m asl.
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| Countries: |
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| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
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Population
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| Population: |
It is known from a relatively small number of scattered localities, and is considered to be a very rare species. There have been recent declines in the population, even in good habitat.
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| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
The species inhabits rocky areas and caves in lowland, mesic closed-canopy broadleaf forest. It has not been recorded outside forest habitat. It breeds by direct development.
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| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
The main threat is habitat loss due to infrastructure development for tourism, disturbance of the habitat by touristic activities, and agriculture. Two specimens collected in 2003 showed signs of disease, although the results of studies investigating which disease specifically are pending. However, declines within suitable habitat are suggestive of chytridiomycosis.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
This species occurs in a few protected areas, but there is insufficient management of these for conservation, and the habitat continues to be degraded. Improved protection of the existing protected areas network is needed, as is urgent research to determine the cause of the decline.
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